Gun shy to apply - reposting in correct forum!

[RaeC]

My current highest myFICO scores are TU @ 675, and Experian @ 651. My Equifax is @ 571. I've disputed things (medical bills) and had them deleted from my TU as of 2 days ago, nothing on my Experian, and only 2 negs on Equifax of relatively low amounts. I do have current student loans at about ~$7k.

My FAKO scores are actually much lower (they may have not updated yet?) at about 535 for TU and 529 for Equifax. Is this typical? Should I trust my FICO scores over those? I'm having difficulty accessing my 3 CR and disputing Equifax online, maybe to do with my name. Though I've been married for 10 years, it has my maiden name ONLY on TU and Equifax, and my first name is misspelled on TU (though they've updated this today with the correct spelling as an 'AKA').

I do not currently have a cc. I want one. I'm looking to rebuild credit this year and purchase a home by next summer. Who/where should I apply? Any that pull strictly TU? Any that are soft pulls? Should I apply with the way they have my name spelled? 

[Anonymous]

Try a credit union first. As a thin file, you may also have luck with Discover. If those don't pan out, I would try the BofA secured card.

[RaeC]

Just any CU? Local or nationwide? 

[Anonymous]

My understanding is that Barclay generally pulls TU. Chase has been reported to pull TU as well as EQ, depending on the card and the location of the applicant. Capital One pulls all three usually. For me, Citi and Discover pulled EQ and AMEX pulled EX.

You could check the prequal websites for BOA, Chase, Cap 1, Citi, Barclay, AMEX, and Discover and see what pops up. The prequali sites are SPs, but an actual CC app will be a HP.

[RaeC]

Eine, what are some of the prequalifying sites for those? Thanks a ton for your time!

[Anonymous]

Just google "[bank name] credit card pre approval."

[degs138]

Barclay pulls TU and is ok with a thin file.

[RaeC]

Is Barclay's prequal pretty accurate? I'm hoping their two offers are a good indicator.

[RaeC]

My Vantage Score 3.0 is 649, and pulling my 3B from Smart credit is: 649 for TU and Equifax, and 548 for Experian, if that helps any, too. I don't know why I can't bite the bullet, I've checked against pre-qualifying sites and none have screamed PRE-APPROVAL at me, just recommended. Barclay seems to be popular on creditpull, and cardmatch shows several options.

I'm terrified of having the HP hit my credit and being denied.

[Anonymous]

Barclays is a better shot if it says "accept now" versus apply now. The apply now is just a recommendation based on the information you put in. Cap1 will also say congratulations if it's solid. Not sure about the rest. Make sure you are seeing a firm apr and not a range.